Letters -- Published Feb. 21, 2013

Thursday

Feb 21, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Regarding the Postal Service's decision to drop Saturday delivery, I wonder why the actual reason that the Postal Service is losing money and has to make these changes wasn't mentioned. Although it is true that people are using electronic media (email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to communicate and pay their bills more often these days this isn't the sole problem as the media has been portraying it lately.

Regarding the Postal Service's decision to drop Saturday delivery, I wonder why the actual reason that the Postal Service is losing money and has to make these changes wasn't mentioned. Although it is true that people are using electronic media (email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to communicate and pay their bills more often these days this isn't the sole problem as the media has been portraying it lately.

The Accountability and Enhancement Act legislation passed by the lame-duck Republican Congress in December 2006 forced the USPS to pre-fund 75 years of pensions in 10 years for its employees. This is the root of the problem.

The current postmaster general, Patrick Donahue stated on Feb. 6, "Of the $15 billion lost in 2012, $11.7 billion of that went to payments USPS was required to pay to the Treasury Department. USPS would have a $1.5 billion surplus if not for this requirement."

There is no such burden put on any other public or private institution in the nation! This is an attempt by Republicans to privatize postal service and further attack the middle class. Why else would Rep. Darrel Issa introduce a bill to restructure the Postal Service, capping the growth of its work force and cutting benefits and services?

United Parcel Service and FedEx have contributed at least $645,000 to Republicans in Congress and Issa alone has received more than $32,000 in contributions from UPS since 2006.

The USPS is one of the biggest employers of veterans in this country, and we shouldn't have to put their jobs in jeopardy or the jobs of any of the other hard-working employees of the Postal Service. Congress must rescind this law and keep people working. Don't let them privatize and kill the USPS!

Gene Gascon

Stockton

In a Feb. 7 letter the writer labeled most gun owners and hunters as "paranoid extremists."

As a lifelong hunter, NRA member (gasp!), shooter, and gun owner who happens to belong to the "gun culture," not once have I heard fellow gun owners and hunters talk, or display behavior regarding "fearing vengeful people of color."

What we do fear is a tyrannical government (one that may use drones to kill U.S. citizens) to deprive us of our rights and liberties.

As for the writer, I am offended by what I perceive as his racist comments. Maybe the gun haters can review the Heller decision. Also, perhaps the California Department of Fish and Wildlife doesn't know it is aiding and abetting "paranoid extremists, afraid of people of color."

If we are talking about banning guns, then let's ban knives, cars, hammers - pick an object. All of these have been used to injure and kill. It is the person, not the object, that is responsible for violent behavior.

As stated by the Delta landowner in Fitzgerald's column, "I'm all in favor of the trail in the Delta, as long as all the bikers and hikers are required to wear respirators and hazmat suits."

This statement is a metaphor for the protections landowners/farmers must have to operate their business. The cultural practices of raising a crop are more stringent now than ever before; farmers must be cognizant of all potential exposures on or next to the property.

Unfortunately, some have fallen victim to frivolous lawsuits, prompting the need for inordinate liability insurance. Farmers must be accountable, just as any other business. However, just because their office is located in the great outdoors does not mean they must meet an obligation for recreation. Maybe, just maybe, common sense has left the building. That means we all lose.